Raja Ampat vs Sipadan Island — Dive Destination Comparison
Raja Ampat (Indonesia) scores 81.4/100 vs Sipadan Island's 81.3/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Raja Ampat for reef diving with 15–30m visibility. Choose Sipadan Island for wall diving at ~$120/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Raja Ampat | Sipadan Island |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 81.4/100 | 81.3/100 |
| Country | Indonesia | Malaysia |
| Visibility | 15--30m | 18--40m |
| Water temp | 26--30 C | 26--30 C |
| Max depth | 40m | 610m |
| Current | variable | moderate |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $180 | $120 |
| Budget tier | luxury | mid range |
| Best months | October, November, December | April, May, June |
| Dive types | reef, wall, drift, muck, mangrove | wall, reef, cave, drift |
| Min certification | Open Water | Advanced Open Water |
| Key species | manta ray, wobbegong shark, pygmy seahorse | green turtle, hawksbill turtle, barracuda |
| Google rating | 4.9 (2850 reviews) | 4.8 (3420 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Raja Ampat when...
- + Marine life enthusiasts seeking manta ray encounters
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Dedicated divers willing to commit to a liveaboard trip
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You're on a tight budget — avg $180/dive
- - You get seasick or prefer shore-based diving
Choose Sipadan Island when...
- + Marine life enthusiasts seeking green turtle encounters
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Wide-angle photographers wanting crystal visibility
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Bottom line
Raja Ampat wins on overall score (81.4 vs 81.3), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Sipadan Island is more affordable ($120 vs $180/dive). Sipadan Island has better peak visibility (40m vs 30m).